Posted by Crooked Heart on February 18, 2004, at 3:40:31
In reply to Re: Why do they do this to me?, posted by Pandabear on February 17, 2004, at 17:38:13
Panda, you really seem to have been given conflicting messages. I wonder what your therapist's actually thinks about the target set by your psychiatrist?
Anyhow Panda, there's one piece of very firm advice. If it's humanly possible where you are, even if it means a long drive for appointments, can you change to a psychiatrist who does NOT know your dad? Her knowing your dad is putting a big additional strain on you that you just don't need and could be avoided.
It's also probably a strain on your pyschiatrist, though she might not admit it. Doctors are human and, if they're honest, there's an extra anxiety about getting things right and 'successful' treatment when it comes to the families of colleagues. That's not always in the best interest of the patient; the doctor's anxiety can lead to overtreatment or overinvestigation.
I'm talking from a lot of experience. My husband's a doctor too, and to add to that where we live is the sort of place where everybody knows everybody else, especially in the medical network. Whenever any of the doctors round here need any psychiatric help (e.g. for depression, stress, drinking) you bet your life they don't go to someone they know. And it's generally agreed that it's not a good idea to treat the families of colleagues and friends, they refer them on to someone else.
At present there's another and avoidable layer of anxiety all round, for you especially, but for yor psychiatrist and your dad as well.
It's not often that I really stick my neck out on the advice front, but I am doing here.
Keep posting and let us know how you are doing.
poster:Crooked Heart
thread:310266
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040211/msgs/315016.html